Key Players lost from last year: Keagan McCoy, DL, SIC Defensive Player of the Year

Photo By: Steve Conner - #4 Ryan Hibbs

Team Preview: Written By: Sven Alskog

Just one offensive starter returned from 2016 returned a season ago for the Capital Eagles. After a 7-3 record with the new group and a trip to the 5A quarterfinals, the experience pendulum has now swung in the favor of Capital, which enters the season with as high of expectations as any program in the 5A SIC.

A big reason for that excitement is the senior duo of quarterback Ryan Hibbs and running back Sam Sessou-Djokoto. The pair is as talented of a backfield tandem as any in the state and should help keep the offense humming.

For 15th year head coach Todd Simis, the strength of the unit is obvious.

“Experience at the skill positions. Anytime you have your quarterback coming back, it is a strength. [Hibbs] has a grayshirt offer from the University of Idaho,” added Simis.

The coaching staff is emphasizing playing faster and being explosive heading into the new season.

Receivers Alec Bindner and Gavin Piva should be key playmakers alongside Second Team All-Conference tight end Matt Ruhl. Bindner was also a Second Team selection last year.

Up front, offensive lineman Jack Vering anchors the line. After a Second Team All-SIC selection a year ago, Vering has already received an offer from Montana State to play football collegiately.

Defensively there is always the expectation that Capital will be a tough unit to score against. For the most part in 2017 that was true, however against premier offenses like Highland, Rocky Mountain and Mountain View, the Eagles gave up over 28 points in each contest. Those three matchups were also the only losses for the group.

In 2018, Simis says the defense will be aiming to create more turnovers, something that should be able to happen with a speedy unit with good experience on the defensive line.

Second Team All-SIC selection Jake Walk is a player to watch on the defensive front, along with Joey Quitugua, Henry Hastriter and Rudy Dye. The four should be able to match up well with opposing offensive lines to cause some havoc in the backfield.

After a year of playing a little younger in certain spots with less experience, the payoff should come full circle on each side of the ball in 2018 for the Eagles.

“We love our senior leadership and the chemistry we have on this team. We have enough game day experience to expect our team to be ready to compete each and every week,” said Simis.

Capital begins the season on August 24 at Dona Larsen Park against an up-and-coming Timberline team and second year head coach Ian Smart.